A TEENAGER who crashed into a stationary taxi waiting to turn on to a Swords roundabout in a hit-and-run incident left the taxi driver out of work for five months as a result of the injuries he received.
Taxi-driver Michael Murphy's car was also written off as a result of the incident, Swords District Court has heard.
Martin Joyce (18) has been convicted, fined a total of €400 and disqualified from driving for six months after he pleaded guilty to failing to stop at the scene of an accident, failing to remain at the scene of an accident and failing to give his information at the Malahide Road in Swords on November 15 last year.
damage
Garda Eamon Hoey said at 1.50pm Mr Murphy was waiting to turn on to a roundabout at the Malahide Road when Joyce approached him from behind and crashed into his vehicle.
He said Joyce then left the scene after causing extensive damage to Mr Murphy's taxi.
It was not until later in the day that Joyce contacted gardai and admitted he caused damage to the vehicle.
Michael Murphy told the court his taxi was written off as a result of the crash and he was out of work for five months as a result of shoulder injuries he received. The court heard Joyce has no previous convictions.
"The facts speak for themselves," said Joyce's barrister Patrick Jackson. "He wasn't concentrating while driving and he panicked. But he did turn himself into gardai afterwards. It was a serious incident and he was insured and a licenced driver," said Mr Jackson.
Mr Jackson said there is "no excuse" to justify what Joyce did.
Judge Dermot Dempsey convicted and fined Joyce €200 and disqualified him from driving for six months for failing to stop at the scene of an accident.
He further convicted and fined him €200 for failing to remain at the scene and took the charge of failing to give his information into consideration.